ISSUE #534: Nov. 2-8, 2014

...A COMPLETELY LOST WEEK...

...A COMPLETELY LOST WEEK...

Brian Timmons

Dear friends,

When I started Residencias Los Jardines, I started writing a weekly news letter -determined to tell all the good, bad, and the ugly. I knew some readers would be interested in the construction process. I expected others might be interested in the lifestyle of two people who had decided to live outside the box. For others, the adventures of Lita, the parrot and the cat took on an entertainment saga all its own.

Residencias Los Jardines is finished. We periodically have resales and rental availability. Some readers may be interested in this information.

Paradisus will consist of 4 towers in Rohrmoser, a suburb to the west of central San Jose. Not far from the US Embassy and shopping malls, Rorhmoser is a residential area that was developed in the 60's and 70's and is currently seeing significant re-development with high end condos. It is the area where the new stadium and a number of luxury high rise condos have recently been built with more on the drawing boards. Phase one of this development is nearing completion; it consists of two towers and the amenities -pool, exercise room, etc. Tower one is expected to be completed in January and Tower 2 should follow in February / March. The location of this development is superb... it's off the main traffic paths and sits on a ravine overlooking a river. To the east is San Jose / Heredia; to the west is Pavas / Escazu. With floor to ceiling windows and a wrap around balcony, these units offer fantastic light and views.

Each of the units consists of two bedrooms / two bathrooms, and a large living/dining/kitchen area. The floor plan of each of these units has eliminated the optional "den / office" divider. The result is a larger area offering more flexible furniture arrangements while still maintaining the option of including an office area. At 105m2 plus two parking spots each and storage locker, they offer a great opportunity for someone seeking views, security, central location, and first class, all round living...

This 1,290 sf. (plus covered parking for one car and two lockers 67 sf.) single story, semi detached house, with garden terrace, two bedrooms is a beautiful executive style home. This home consists of two large bedrooms one with six piece en-suite bathroom with additional access to separate full shower. Each bedroom has large closets with extensive built-ins for personal organization. The vaulted living room and bathroom ceilings provide a feeling of grandeur while allowing the warmer air to rise and exit through the ceiling ventilating system. There are four TVs (one in each bedroom, one in the living room and one in breakfast / dinning room.) This is a beautiful well appointed home.

This 1,290 sf single floor home includes a 300 sf front terrace plus parking for one car and a separate, secure storage locker. It is and end unit and therefore attached on only one side by a 6 inch cement demising (common) wall, which prevents sound transfer.

This 1,290 sf single floor home includes a 300 sf front terrace plus parking for one car. It is attached on two sides by a 6 inch cement demising (common) wall, which prevents sound transfer.

Our Lives

WEATHER: We're entering the dry season and the trade winds are beginning. We still have some showers and lots of overcast but the change is occurring.

A Completely Lost Week: Having decided to rent a unit a Paradisus, I have to furnish it. This is not something I've done for a number of years so I had to start from scratch re. finding out what was available, prices, moving into the 13th floor using elevators, etc. Lita and I spent several days doing "research" and trying to get my ideas together. I had seen other's condo furnishing and was and found I didn't much like the result. We don't have an Ikea store here where you can get all the same color and type of furniture which matches, a large selection of associated things, etc. Here we have a few sources and not much depth. Since Paul was a few days ahead of me, I hitch hiked on some of his research, developed an overall plan and then started to execute it. Another person and I painted the condo on Sunday...why? I didn't like institutional white and flat paint... so I used a color which had worked well for me in the past... We did 95% of the work in 16 hrs. and I did the other 5% touch up later. Curtains were ordered on Monday, and the balance of Monday and Tuesday were used for purchasing. Fans, mirrors, lights went up on Wednesday before furniture arrived. Curtains arrived and were installed on Thursday morning. Appliances arrived Thursday afternoon, Beds, living room, and dining room furniture along with a desk and misc. things arrived on Friday. By Friday evening we had 90% of the work done and have only a few more things to finish off with. Today and Sunday will be devoted to outfitting the kitchen and bedding as well as some electronics. It's been a lot of work... my body is protesting loudly. Everything has come together well, no mistakes yet... My guess was $15,000 furnished and outfitted... I haven't finished and have added receipts up yet but I think I'll come in about there.

Now I have to figure out if I'm going to do the same on the other two condos??? I'm going to take a break however.

Anyway, that's my excuse for not having any current news... I haven't had time to follow anything... I've been totally focused...

New Car: However, during the flurry of activity, I was presented with a fantastic opportunity... I had decided that the next car for me would be a few years old SUV, diesel, automatic, with leather interior. I have not been looking but knew that when I started, that would be my criteria. A guy came to me with a 2008, Hyundai, Santa Fe, with all I wanted... and for $6,100 if I paid on the spot... I didn't hesitate... It is now being cleaned up, new tires and a few other things fixed and in a couple days I'll put my 2003 Nissan Pathfinder up for sale. It's been a great car but I couldn't pass up the Santa Fe...